Hood latch



D. P. HYNES sept. 29, 1931.

HOOD LATCH Filed Nov. 2l, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 29, 1931. D, p, HYNES 1,824,895

' Hoon LATCH 9 Filed Nov. 21, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheetl 3 In vena? I ,ttorvzg/j Patented Sept. 29, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DIBRELL I. HYNES, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO, FORGING & MANU- FACTURING CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS HOOD LATCH Application led November 21, 1930. Serial No. 497,163.

My invention relates to securing means for provision of means for securing an automobile hood closure in closed position. One objectjis the provision of such holding or securing means which shall be efficient in use and cheap to manufacture. Another object is the provision of such means which shall be positive in action and shall automatically adjust for variation any size of opposed parts. Another object is the provision of such means which lshall notonly hold the closure in position but which will prevent rattling of one opposed part against another. Other objects will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagranunatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section similar to Figure 3 illustrating the parts in a dill'erent position;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is an inside elevation of the parts, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7 7 of Figure 6; Y

Figure 8 is a detail;

Figure 9 is a front side elevation of a variant form of the device;

Figure 10 is a section on the line 10-10 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Figure 9, showing the parts in locked position;

Figure 12 is a similar section showing the initiation of the unlocking movement; and

Figure 13 is a section on the line 13-13 of Figure 10. A

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring to the drawings, A generally indicates an automobile frame, A1 the radiator and A2 any suitable hinged hood closure the .lower edge of which may abut against the abutment flange A3, as shown for example in Figure 2.

Mounted on the automobile frame adjacent the ends of the closure A2 are the locking abutments B, B, each of which includes a base portion B1, and an inclined forward extension or flange B3 at the end of which is an inclined abutment portion B4. This structurc is clearly indicated in Figures l to 5. The abutment portion B1 is positioned substantially within the plane of the closure AL and is inclined upwardly and inwardly in relation thereto.

C generally indicates the locking rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure A2. It may be mounted for example in thc terminal bearings C1 C1. It is herein shown as having recurved ends C2, which recuried ends are adapted to be opposed to the inclined abutments B4. It will be understood that when the rod C is rotated in a clockwise direction, referring to the position of parts in Figures 2 to 5, this rotation causes the offset or recurved portion C2 to engage the inclined abutment member B4, which engagement tends to draw the closure A2 downwardly toward the frame A and inwardly against the abutment A3. The torsion or spring action of the rod provides a yielding locking eifect. In normal use this yielding characteristic of the rod is suflicient to provide suiiicient eX- cess pressure to compensate for wear. The rod is suiciently flexible, also, to compensate for assembly of variations in size, shape and position of parts.

In order to impart to the rod the necessary rotation, and in order to permit its control from without the hood, I provide the following structure. D generally indicates a plate or base which may be secured to the inner face of the closure Af. It is centrally broken away as at D1 and its edges are bent into the fianges D2, each of which is provided with the upwardly and inwardly inclined slot D3, through which passes the rod C. D4 is an oppositely inclined entry slot. The member I) is further provided with an abutment lip D, the purpose of which will be set out below.

The closure A' is apertured as at E, said of the forward extension E. dle E* is in the downward position in which it is shown in Figures 1 and 2 the abutment E6 is opposed to the abutment D1. The member E1 is held against rotation in relation to the shaft C. I illustrate as suitableV means a central offset portion E1 of the shaft C, which offset portion, and the adjacent portions of the shaft C are surrounded bv a covering E, of sheet metal or the like, which covering forms in effect a lateral extension of the rod C. The central offset portion of the web seats in a slot E' in the member E1. The cover portion Es may be laterally expanded as at E1, on each side of the member E1, and fastened to the member E1 by suitable means as at E11, in order to prevent longitudinal movement of the member E1 along the rod C. The result of this structure is to prevent rotation of the member E1 about the rod C and also to prevent longitudinal movementl of the member E1 along the rod C. I illustrate this vstructure as a satisfactory solution of this problem, but do not wish to be limited specifically to it, except so far as I precisely so limit myself in the claims. The ends of the slot E may be crimped inwardly to lock the member E1 upon the rod C, and in addition the member E1 and the offset portion E19 may be joined together as at E11.

Referring to the form of Figure 9 and following in the place of the handle or lever member E1 I employ a compound member generally indicated as G which includes an exterior handle lever G1 with the hand piece G2.. The member G1 is pivoted tothe interlor locking and rock shaft actuating member G` as for example-to its forward extension G* which passes outwardly through the' aperturel in the hood. The member G1 may for example be upset as at G5 Gl5 to engage the opposite sides of the member G4. indicates a pivot pin passing`through the two members. The parts are so proportioned as to permit a slight or limited relative rotation of the two members. When the parts are in the position shown in Figure l2 the member G1 engagesthe top of the member G*1 on the hood side of the pin G". When in the normal locking position the member G1 engages the tapered portion G" of the top of the member G1, as shown in Flgure 11. The member G1 is provided When the hanwith a locking lip G11 adapted to engage an opposed locking lip or abutment H4 formed in the supporting plate generally indicated as H. `This supporting plate includes side flanges H1 H1 projecting inwardly from-the hood, these side flanges being slotted at their tops as at H2, the slots H2 communicating with the inclined slots H1. Through these slots passes the rock shaft C, normally seating in the inclined slots H1. The offset central or crank portion E7 of the shaft C is held against rotation in relation to the member G3, being for example seated in a slot therein G1". Any suitable means may be employed for holding the member Gra against movement in relation to the shaft C and the offset portion E1, for example the yoke generally indicated as J and including a saddle portion J1 passing over the member G11 and pinned to it as by the pin J 2 with the securin clip J 1. The yoke includes outwardl exten ing portions Gs curled about the o set E1 as at G.

It will be realized' that whereas I have described and shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the s irit of my invention. I therefore wish my escription and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting me to my specific showing.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

It being the function of the rod C, for example through the recurved portions. Cf, to engage the locking abutments B4, 1t 1s my purpose to provide unitary means for simultaneously raising and lowerin the closure A2 and at the same time unloc lng and locking the closure. In other words I provide means whereby lifting upon the handle E? will release the locking connection against the abutment B4, to permit the closure to be lifted in response to lifting force applied to the handle E. In the hood latch closures now currently employed it is necessary first separately to release one or more hood latches, and then to lift the closure by means of an independent handle, separate from the hood latches. In the present structure, assume that the handle E4 is in the lower position in which it is shown in Figures 1 and 2. When the operator lifts upon the handle E* he tends to rotate the member E1 and thus the shaft C. However, such rotation is at first revented by the engagement between the a utments E and D5. Therefore, the handle E4, carrying with, it the structure E1 and the central portion of the shaft C moves upwardl and somewhat inwardly, this movement belng guided by the slot D3. as the abutment E6 has cleared the opposed abutment D, the member E2 may rotate into the position in which it is shown in Figure As soon I 4. Preferably the shaft is torsionally distorted by its engagement on the one hand with the abutments B4 and on the other by the engagement of the abutment E6 with the opposed lip or abutment D5. As long as the abutment E6 is opposed to the lip D5 this torsion of the shaft keeps the recurved ends of the shaft yieldinglylocked against the inclined abutments B4. This tensional yielding locking is terminated by the lifting of the handle and the clearing of the said abutments E and D5. However, unless this lifting is manually done the position of the parts is such and the effect of the torsion of the shaft is such as to lock the shaft in position at the bottom of the slots D3. As the slots are inwardly inclined, a lifting of the handle frees the abutment E6 from the opposed lip D5 and renders this lifting easy. As soon as the two abutments have cleared and as soon as the rotary movement of the member E2 has been freed, then a further lift on the handle E4 is effective to lift the closure A2, which now is free to move upwardly, the locking connection having been terminated. Although the position of the abutment E to the abutment D5 does not impede the upward movement of the member E1 and its p subsequent rotation, in response to the exertion of an upward pull on the handle E4, the spring action of the rod C, in connection with the torsion caused by the engagement of the offset portions C2 with the abutments B4, is sufficient to urge the abutment E5 into normally firm contact with the opposed abutment D5. the rod C being at all times under torsion, and also somewhat flexed from the shape it would naturally take. Preferably the rod may be slightly bowed in order to accentuate this fiexure, although this bowing may be so slight as hardly to show in the drawings herein. Rotation of the member E1 by lifting of the handle E2 may be limited as by the offset portion E15 comingr in contact with the `lip -D5 as shown in Figure 4.

Referring to the form of Figure 9 and following I employ a break joint for the handle lever. Assume that the parts are in the looking position in which they are shown in Figure 11, when the operator lifts the handle G2 it rotates about the center Gr6 and'its inner end presses downwardly upon the lip H2, thus positively lifting the member Gr3 and clearingthe opposed locking members Grs and H4. A downward thrust upon the handle G2 restores the parts to their original position andpermits ready locking. The lifting or unlocking effect of raising the handle G2 is illlustrated by the position of the parts as shown in Figure 12.

I claim:

1. In securing means for a closure. a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner facej of the closure, locking members on the rod,

The result is a firm locking action,-

adapted to be moved into 'locking position in response to rotation of the rod, a handle for rotating the rod into and out of locking position, and means for holding the rod against rotation when it is in locking position, said means including an abutment substantially fixed inrelation to the closure and an abutment adapted to move with the rod, said handle being adapted to bring said abutments into holding opposition when the rod has been rotated into locking position.

2. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner `face of the closure, locking members on the rod,

Aadapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, and a handle for rotating the rod into and out of v locking position, and means for holding the rod against rotation when it is in lockmg position. said means including an abutment substantially fixed in relation to the closure' and an abutment adapted to move with the rod, and means for bringing said abutments into holding opposition when the rod has been rotated into locking position.

3. In securing 'means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted' upon the inner face of the closure, abutments positioned within'the closure, locking members on the rod adapted to be opposed to said abutments in response to rotation of the rod, means for rotating the rod into and out of locking position, including an exterior handle and a connection between said handle and said rod, the closure being apertured to permit the passage of said connection therethrough, and means for holding said rod against rotation when it is in locking position, including opposed abutments associated with rod and closure.

4. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, a locking member on the rod adapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, a keeper to which said locking member is opposed when in locking position, a handle for rotating the rod into and out of locking position, and a securing guide for said rod associated with the closure, said guide including a slot through which said rod passes, and means for holding said rod against rotation, effective when the rod is in a predetermined position in said slot.

5. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of theclosure, a plurality of locking members on the rod, adapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, keepers to which said locking members are opposed when in locking position, an exterior handle for rotating the rod into and out of locking position, and a securing guide forv no Y against rotation, efective when the rod is in a predetermined position in said slot, including an abutment on the closure and an abutment associated with the rod, the latter abutment being yieldingly thrust against the former by the flexure of the rod itself, when the parts are in locking position.

6. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, locking members on the rod, adapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, and a handle rigid on the rod, for rotating the rod into and out of locking position, 'and means for holding the rod against rotation when it is in locking position, said vmeans including an abutment mounted on the closure and an abutment adapted to move with the rod, said handle being adapted to bring said abutments into holding opposition when the rod has been rotated into locking position, and means for positively freeing said abutments from locking position in re onse to an upward movement of the han le.

7. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the' ed to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, a control member for rotating the rod into and out of locking. position and a handle pivoted to said cont-rol member, and means for limiting the rotation of said handle in relation to said control member to a predetermined,y arc.

9. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, locking members on the rod, adaptedto be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, and means for rotating the rod into and out of locking position including a compound handle, said handle including a member secured to the rod and an exterior handle member movably mounted upon said first mentioned member.

10. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted u on `the inner face of the closure, locking mem rs on the rod, adapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, and means for rotating the rod into and out of locking position including a compound handle, said handle including a member secured `vto the rod and an exterior handle member pivoted in relation to said first mentioned member.

11. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, locking members on the rod, adapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, and means for rotating the rod into and out of locking position including a compound handle, said handle including'a member secured to the rod and an exterior handle member pivoted in relation to said first mentioned member, said pivot being exterior to the closure.

12. In` securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, locking members on the rod, adapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, and means for rotating the rod into and out of locking position including a compound handle, said hanv dle including a member secured to the rod and an exterior handle member movably mounted upon said first mentioned member, means for holding said rod in locking position, including an abutment upon the closure and an opposed abutment associated with the compound handle.

13. In securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, locking members on the rod, adapted to be moved into locking position in response to rotation of the rod, and means for rotating the rod into and out of locking position including a compound handle, said handle including a member secured to the rod and an exterior handle member movably mounted upon said first mentioned member, means for holding said rod in locking position,including an abutment upon the closure and an opposed abutment associated with the compound handle, said movable handle member being adapted, in response to its initial upward movement from the locking position, to free said abutments.

14. In' securing means for a closure, a rod rotatably mounted upon the inner face of the closure, abutments positioned within the closure, locking members on the rod adapted to be opposed to said abutments in response to rotation of the rod, means for rotating the rod into and out of locking position, including an exterior handle and a connection between said handle and said rod, the closure being, apertured to permit the passage of said connection therethrough, and means for holding said rod against rotation when it 1s in locking position, including opposed abutments associated with rod and closure, the abutments being slidable in relation to each other and being adapted to hold the rod against rotation, while permitting non-rotary movement of the rod transversely of its axis.

Sigiled at Chicago, county of Cook and State ofv Illinois, this 6th day of November DIBRELL P. HYNEs. 

